Like any term, stress is initially neutral and simply describes an automatism of our body that takes place in the body and mind. It takes place in order to react efficiently to changing environmental conditions. In colloquial language we mean usually a stressful situation. One in which everything is too much for us or with which we can not cope.
How we ourselves contribute to our stress
We can no longer enjoy
During the cosmetic treatment we think of the sick sister at home and during the Yoga of the untidy children's rooms. Even in the Holiday we do not turn off at the magnificent breakfast table: Not the worries and not the mobile phone - it is in constant reach.
We are addicted to stress
It is a kind of love-hate relationship, or even addiction, that makes us cling to stress. In the origins of humanity, it was simply about survival. Today, we're still fighting, even if it's no longer about survival. On a hormonal level, though, it looks like this.
The brain wants more of what it knows. In this case, that's the stress hormone. So we unconsciously seek more and more stress.
We have forgotten how to recover
What does your end of the day look like, the weekend, the holiday? We want to have, be, do more everywhere. Even at night we still look at the smartphone instead of sleeping. The body forgets to recover. Then when we want it, he can't.
We indulge in negative thinking
Our minds are on problems far too often, far too long, and far too committed, Worryunfinished business. Beautiful, good and pleasant things are quickly overlooked. For example, on a train journey: When we see "15 minutes later" we think: "delayed again" and that is stressful. No one thinks "great, on time again!" when they arrive on time. However, the majority of trains run on time.
We no longer focus
Our way of thinking, the new world of media full of distractions, the flood of information lead to the fact that our thoughts are always somewhere, instead of in the present tense. The feeling of being driven has become quite normal.
The good sides of stress
Stress makes you fit
The stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline make us spring into action, get up in the morning and find the coffee machine.
Stress does not in itself make you ill
Dangerous is the Permanent stress...where we don't get enough rest.
Stress makes you strong
You want to catch a bus, move the furniture, or endure a hike. Then you need all Power in your muscles and for that you need stress.
Stress motivates
You probably never would have gone on a diet or negotiated for a raise if you didn't have a Drive would have gotten.
Stress makes you happy
Having accomplished something that was challenging or even beyond our imagination makes a properly good feeling.
Stress can be regulated
To raise awareness of what is good and beautiful in life, to pause and enjoy the moment, to feel and express gratitude, or in a Diary take the dangerous spikes out of stress.
Stress is chemistry
Oxytocin is a hormone that leads to well-being and relaxation, reducing the influence of the stress hormone. It is produced not only by the brain, but especially by the heart. You produce more oxytocin through physical contact, smiling, loving thoughts, putting your hand on your heart
This gesture immediately relaxes and does good to the head, heart and body. They represent a Connection with your heart intelligence and stress is relieved.
Stress happens in the head
It's about the Direction and color of thoughts. Far too quickly we think hypercritically, destructively, or disappointedly, and repeat this over and over again. It would be better, to think in solutions, to relativize or simply distract themselves.
Stress is a question of perspective
And you can always change them yourself. Other people, certain events, bad weather on vacation - we can not influence. What we think, however, can. For example, count the good of a day, a project, a seemingly failed activity with a tally sheet. Often we simply overlook the good.
As soon as we take better care of usstresses can affect us less. The less they affect us, the better we can deal with stress and enjoy its good sides.
See here how we create unnecessary trouble for ourselves:
By uploading the video you accept the YouTube privacy policy.
Learn more
This article is a guest contribution from Dr. Ilona Bürgel.
I am one of the first representatives of Positive Psychology in the German-speaking world and an expert for physical and mental well-being. I have a doctorate in psychology, am an author and lecturer.
The invitation to a change of perspective runs like a red thread through my work - away from the fixation on external conditions in our constantly changing world, towards a good way of dealing with oneself.
EN 
DE 
ES 
FR 
UK 
RU